Lawmakers Add Consumer Suit Power to Washington Privacy Bill (2)

Washington state residents would gain new rights to file lawsuits over data violations under an amended version of privacy legislation approved by a House technology committee.

The new provision may complicate prospects for the bill, the Washington Privacy Act (SB 6281), in the full chamber because several backers of the bill oppose it. The House Innovation, Technology, Economic Development Committee approved the new version of the bill on a 6-3 vote.

The amendment, by committee chairman Zack Hudgins (D), would make breaching the privacy requirements a per se violation of Washington consumer protection law. That would effectively allow state residents ...